After defending his title at Three Days of DePanne, Chavanel could be Omega Pharma’s strongest rider. (OPQS/ Tim De Waele)

Sylvain Chavanel (Omega Pharma–Quick-Step)
For the second year in a row, Chavanel comes into the Tour of Flanders three days after winning the Three Days of DePanne. But with teammate Tom Boonen a step behind where he was at this time last year, the Frenchman does so for the first time as the captain of the powerful Omega Pharma–Quick-Step squad. A rider ideally suited to the rigors of the Northern Classics, Chavanel is smart, aggressive, and powerful. But while his team is certainly one of the strongest in the race, that could work against Chavanel’s chances—especially if Boonen feels good Sunday.

Geraint Thomas (Team Sky)
Thomas was one of the revelations of the 2011 cobbled Classics, but took last year off to focus on riding the track at the 2012 Olympics in London. Now back on the road full-time, the Welsh rider showed off his aggressive side by attacking to win Stage 2 of the Tour Down Under in January. His fourth-place finishes in both the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and the E3 Harelbeke prove he’s a rider to watch in Flanders.

Niki Terpstra (Omega Pharma–Quick-Step)
Another member of the star-packed Omega Pharma–Quick-Step squad, this Dutchman was one of Boonen’s key allies during last year’s cobbled Classics. This year, the Dutch champion will be given more freedom to ride for himself and could profit from other teams focusing too much attention on his two captains.

Sebastian Langeveld (Orica-GreenEdge)
After knocking on the door in the cobbled Classics for several seasons, Langeveld won the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad with Rabobank in 2011—then seemingly fell off the face of the earth. But he’s back now, and after a fifth-place finish at the E3 Harelbeke, he appears ready to lead the way for Orica-GreenEdge.

Jurgen Roelandts (Lotto-Belisol)
Belgium’s other WorldTour team is pinning its hopes on Jurgen Roelandts. Roelandts looked ready for an impressive run this spring, but flat tires and poor timing have prevented him from winning a big race in front of his home fans. If his team can keep him out of trouble during the first half of the race, he’s another rider capable of pulling off an upset.

Greg Van Avermaet (BMC)
With a sick Philippe Gilbert not starting and Thor Hushovd looking ahead to Paris-Roubaix, Van Avermaet is BMC’s best chance for a high finish. But while the Belgian has scored several top-5 results in important spring Classics throughout his career, he has somehow never managed to win one. An aggressive rider who can survive the steep Flemish climbs and still find some power left in his legs to win small group sprints, Van Avermaet needs to remain attentive but out of sight until the end of the race if he hopes to win.

Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-Quick Step)
After dominating last year’s cobbled Classics, Boonen came into 2013 hoping to break the record for the most wins in both Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix history. But while he still has another week to prepare for Roubaix, it looks as if the Belgian champion’s off-season troubles—an intestinal virus and infected elbow limited his training—have left him without enough miles to mount a serious challenge Sunday. That said, while he might lack the fitness to follow a late-race breakaway, the Belgian should do well if the pack comes back together for a sprint finish in Oudenaarde—especially if other favorites have tired themselves out trying to escape.

Filippo Pozzato (Lampre-Merida)
After winning Milan-San Remo and the E3 Harelbeke earlier in his career, Pozzato was expected to become Italy’s next cobbled Classic champion. Instead, he’s become one of the peloton’s most frustratingly inconsistent riders. After winning the Trofeo Laigueglia to open the Italian season, Pozzato has been quiet. That said, he’s avoided sickness and crashes thus far and finished second on the new Flanders course last year. A victory Sunday would be Italy’s first since 2007.